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Skid Steer Training & Certification
Hard Hat Training courses meet all training requirements set by OSHA and CSA.
We Offer Five Types of Skid Steer Safety Trainings
Our regulation-aligned Skid Steer certification courses are updated to reflect the most recent changes made to safety standards. Whether you want a certification in as little as two hours, or a more robust training, we can help! We offer online trainings that can be completed in a day, DIY training kits that provide training materials, Train the Trainer certifications that certify individuals to train others and provide training materials, or onsite training. No matter what you choose, we can get you what you want, at a price you can afford.
Online Training
Online training is for those who prefer self-paced training from any location and/or for employers who need to assign and monitor employee training progress and exam scores.
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Training Kits
The training kit is for those who want the freedom of doing the training themselves. It is an PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) that you can present yourself to a group of trainees.
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Train the Trainer
Train the Trainer courses are online and meant to certify a individual to use the training kit to train others. Training kit and materials are included with the Train the Trainer online course for no additional cost.
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Video + Kit Training
Our video courses come with informative training videos as well as a DIY kit that includes a copy of the full training presentation. This is a great option for any business that would like to certify its employees using video training.
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Pre-Op Videos
This this not a certification course. It is an information training video on how to correctly conduct a pre-shift inspection. It covers how to correctly conduct a pre-shift inspection.
Purchase OptionsWhat’s in the Skid Steer Training Course?
Our skid steer safety training course is regulation aligned, and our online version fulfills the classroom portion training requirement.
This presentation includes intermittent practice quiz questions to prepare for the final written exam included with the course. In addition to the written exam, this course also includes a checklist for employers to use when administering a practical exam as required by OSHA.
Estimated Training Length: Because everyone learns and progresses at different speeds, the amount of time you spend taking this training will vary. However, the estimated time for this training is 1.5 – 2 hours.
Intended Audience:
- Employees
Course Goals:
- Understand the importance of a pre-shift inspection and how to perform one
- Recognize the common hazards associated with skid steers and how to avoid or mitigate them
- Learn how to operate safely in a variety of on-site situations
Training Scope: Each class contains the following information:
- Anatomy & Pre-shift Inspections
- Interior
- Exterior
- Stability
- Center of Gravity
- Stability Pyramid
- Capacity
- Dynamic Conditions
- Safe Operations
- Emotional & Physical Health
- Training
- PPE
- Know Your Machine
- Mounting & Dismounting
- Restraint Systems
- Lift Arms
- Attachments
- Know Your Worksite
- Communications
- Pedestrians
- Travel
- With Loads
- On Public Roads
- Reversing
- Load Handling
- Ramps & Trailers
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For most courses, we offer OSHA trainings in English and Spanish, CAL/OSHA trainings in English, and Canada trainings in English. See all of our options!
View Purchase OptionsSkid Steer Certification Standards
U.S. Standards
Canada Standards
Train the Trainer Certification
The Train the Trainer option is used to certify a trainer to teach others using the included training kit. It incorporates the online course with an additional train the trainer module, as well as the training kit. This option results in an regulation-aligned lifetime trainer certification from Hard Hat Training. This certification is not company-specific, meaning you can take it with you should you change employers.
Why Do I Need Skid Steer Safety Training?
In line with regulations, anyone who operates heavy equipment must receive training prior to operating the machine on their own. Requirements for refresher training and other processes are very specific. Most other equipment doesn’t have such specific OSHA training requirements, but it’s wise to follow the same guidelines.
When it comes to refresher health and safety training, the standards in some instances (like forklifts) are very specific: operators must be re-evaluated every three years to see if they are still competent to operate the equipment. Best practices say to apply this same rule to all types of equipment. A so-called “free-pass” cannot be awarded based on experience, age, or time on the job. The extent of the evaluation is to be determined by the employer but should include a written and practical examination that prove continued competency.
Stay Informed On All Things Skid Steer
Did You Know?
Annually, there are 26,120 injuries involving heavy machinery in the industry as a whole, with 1,062 fatal injuries in the construction industry alone.
It takes an average of 1.6 seconds for a skid steer to tip over.
Tracks may need replacing as soon as 500 hours and as late as 2000-plus hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a skid steer weight?
Typically the most common skid steers weigh between 2000 lbs to 10,500 lbs! Learn more!
Why is it called a skid steer?
The skid steer gets its name from the way that it turns. Instead of turning the wheels or tracks themselves, the speed of each side can be controlled independently. This causes the machine to drag or skid across the ground instead of turning like a car.
Can you remove trees with a skid steer?
Yes. There is even an attachment that can be used specifically for pulling trees or stumps out of the ground. Just make sure that you are using the correct attachment.
How many skid steer attachments are there?
There are a countless number of skid steer attachments. There are around 50 attachments in use currently, though there is always innovation happening in the manufacturing companies.
How deep can a skid steer dig?
All skid steers are capable of digging about three feet deep, though some larger options can dig as deep as five feet.
Can a skid steer flip over backward?
Yes. If the machine is carrying an uneven load or travelling with a raised bucket, the center of gravity is altered, and the machine can tip either forward or backward. The machine can even tip sideways if it is on a slope or otherwise carrying an uneven load.
See Purchase Options
For most courses, we offer OSHA trainings in English and Spanish, CAL/OSHA trainings in English, and Canada trainings in English. See all of our options!
View Purchase Options